As part of its ongoing effort at resource conservation, and to explore and deploy clean, fuel-efficient vehicles, Casella Waste Systems today opened a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station in Chittenden County, its first facility companywide.
Natural gas-powered trucks and vehicles are among the cleanest vehicles available and, with the discovery of new natural gas in North America, natural gas prices have decreased significantly. In addition they also have significantly lowered tailpipe emissions.
‘We are thrilled to cut the ribbon on this facility, and to add three natural gas-powered trucks to our fleet,’ John Casella, chairman and chief executive officer of Casella Waste Systems, said. ‘Several years ago we began to explore replacing existing diesel trucks with natural gas-powered trucks. We quickly discovered that the environmental and economic benefits were obvious ‘ these vehicles cut particulate emissions by 95% and carbon monoxide by 75%, they’re quieter than traditional diesel engines and, because of the lower cost of natural gas, they offer potential economic savings as well.’
‘I congratulate Casella Waste Systems on its leadership in becoming an early adopter of cleaner fleet vehicles,’ said Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin. ‘We have significant opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont through alternative fuel-powered vehicles in the transportation sector. Casella Waste Systems has made an enormous impact by choosing natural gas. Moving off foreign oil to cleaner alternatives like natural gas is an excellent step that I hope other businesses will examine closely as they build to replace their fleet vehicles,’ Shumlin said.
‘Casella Waste Systems is a thoughtful company, combining positive business practice with respect for the environment,’ said Don Gilbert, President and CEO of Vermont Gas Systems. ‘While there are many natural gas vehicles in service around the world and in other states, currently Vermont only has a few. The strong North American based gas supply and its relatively low price combined with our desire to decrease greenhouse gas emissions create a unique opportunity for Vermont. Casella’s leadership has demonstrated how Vermont businesses can save money and promote a cleaner environment through utilizing natural gas vehicles in their fleets,’ Gilbert said.
Casella’s new facility consists of six fueling stations, allowing vehicles to be refueled overnight. Currently, Casella deploys three CNG-powered (Compressed Natural Gas) vehicles in Chittenden County and expects to take delivery on three more vehicles by mid-summer 2011, at which time 20 percent of the company’s daily collection routes in the county will be serviced by CNG vehicles.
While natural gas vehicle (NGV) technology has been available for years, the strong supply outlook and decline in prices for natural gas in North America has made transitioning to NGV’s more economical.
Casella plans to add several more CNG-powered vehicles to its fleet this coming year, and has planned to build 2 additional fueling stations in other communities it serves throughout the northeastern US.
About Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
Casella Waste Systems, Inc., headquartered in Rutland, Vermont, provides solid waste management services consisting of collection, transfer, disposal, and recycling services in the northeastern United States. For further information, contact Joseph Fusco, vice president, at 802-772-2247, or visit the company's website at http://www.casella.com.
PHOTO: John Casella, Governor Shumlin, Joanna Underwood from Energy Vision, and Don Gilbert. (Vermont Business Magazine)
WILLISTON, VT. (May 13, 2011) ‘